It took a powerful catharsis of emotions to get out of the self-imposed
writing exile and get myself back to do what I’m best at- writing. In this
instance, it’s the much awaited Century of Centuries by the God of cricket-
Sachin Tendulkar.
It’s been a while since I’ve stopped following the fortunes
of the men in blue. Ever since the debacle that was India’s tour of England in
the summer of 2011, I haven’t quiet been the cricket fanatic I was. The disbelief
at the appalling condition the team had landed itself into- shuttling from one low
to another, was, is, and will ever be, hard to digest.
Even then, when India landed down under three months ago,
there was hope still. That maybe this
will be where the team will script a stunning turnaround. And in fact, for the first two days, I entertained
the thoughts that perhaps this would be the time Aussies will finally lose a Boxing
Day test. But then, the writing was on
the wall as soon as Indian batting went in an all-too-familiar slumber.
Why I’m I writing all this? Because some way or the other, going
over all this again and again I realised that maybe this is why Sachin didn’t celebrate
the remarkable, mind-boggling achievement like a mad-man. Why he simply raised his bat and looked
towards the heaven, in the old Sachin fashion.
Maybe it was relief, relief at getting the elusive centuries, relief at
finally getting the monkey off his back. But more than anything else, relief at
the fact that he had silenced all those who had started questioning his place
in the side. For the better part of last
three months, he had been under attack from all corners of the cricket-crazy Indian
nation. From legends like Kapil Dev to
the road-side stall owner, all had proclaimed he should have called it a day, especially
in the limited over format, after the world cup. After all, he had every record
a batsman could hope to have against his name- more centuries, more runs, more
matches, than anyone else and of course, the World Cup.
It was suggested it was selfish of him to continue playing,
not giving the youngsters a chance to prove their mettle. I think this is what hurt the great batsman
the most. Questioning of his integrity, and
commitment to the game he has overshadowed in a stellar carrier.
And now that he has reached the milestone where I doubt someone
will ever stand again, these very people will suddenly sing a completely new
tune. A nation of ‘thali ke bangan’.
I personally didn’t think Sachin would get the special ton,
but more because of the constant comparison with Sir Don Bradman then because
he was getting old, his footwork wasn’t as good as it was and his reflexes were
delayed. I thought perfect it was
fitting for Sachin to walk into the sunset with a 99 against his name, much
like the illustrious Don Bradman. As I said- some records are better left
incomplete.
Perhaps that’s the reason the celebrations were sedated. Perhaps
that’s why he’s such a giant of the game, and perhaps that’s why Sachin will
always overshadow the game that turned him from a simple human to a legend, and
recast him as our God.
We are a very privileged generation indeed to have the honour
of being a witness to the class of Sachin Tendulkar.
I was alive when Sachin scored century of centuries.
